When the circuit of the battery C is completed, the coil of N, to which it is connected, is energised, and the armature A is attracted against the stop V. When in this position the tension of the spring S is released, while the tension of the spring T is increased. As soon as the circuit of the battery D is completed by means of the metal line print on the transmitting machine, the current divides at the terminals F and H, a portion flowing through the magnet coil M, and a portion through the remaining winding on N. The current which flows through the winding on N produces a magnetising effect equal to that caused by the other winding on N, but since the two windings are of equal length and resistance, and since the current flowing through the two windings is of equal strength but in opposite directions, the result is to neutralise
the magnetising effects produced by each winding, and consequently no magnetism is produced in the cores.
The other portion of the current from D flows through the coil M, and it becomes magnetised at the same time that the coil N becomes demagnetised. The armature A is attracted by M against the stop X, and this attraction is assisted by the spring T, which was under increased tension. The conditions of the springs are now reversed, the spring S being under increased tension, while the tension of the spring T is released.
As soon as the current from D is broken, the magnetism disappears from M, the neutralising current in N ceases, and N once more becomes magnetised, owing to the current which still flows through one winding from C; the armature is therefore again attracted by N, assisted by the spring S. The current flowing through the two windings of N must be perfectly equal, and the regulating resistance R, and ammeters B and B', are inserted for purposes of adjustment. The current from C must flow in a direction opposite to that which flows from D.
H, H', containers; M, mercury; E, paraffin oil; T, T', terminals; C, suspending rod; D, base; F, F', dipping rods.
The local circuit of the relay is completed by means of a copper dipper in mercury, somewhat resembling an ordinary mercury break, but modified to suit the present requirements. The arrangement will be seen from Fig. 39. The whole of the
moving parts are made as light as possible, and for this reason the rod C and the dippers F, F' should be made as short as convenient. The containers H, H' are separate, of cast iron, and rectangular in shape. The dipper is of very thin copper tube—an advantage where alternating current is to be used—and is made adjustable for height on the suspending rod C. The leg F is of such a length that permanent contact is made with the mercury in the container H, while the leg F' clears the surface of the mercury by about 1/4 inch, when the armature of the relay is in its normal position. To prevent undue churning of the mercury, which would necessarily take place if the dipper entered and left the mercury at each movement of the armature, a pointed ebonite plug is inserted in the end of the tube. This will be found to give good results at a high speed, the mercury being practically undisturbed, and the production of "sludge" reduced to a minimum. To prevent oxidation of the mercury, and to prevent arcing, the surface is covered with paraffin oil. If this is not sufficient to prevent arcing a condenser should be shunted across the